Waiting for Shlomo: Things that are making me smile

By Erin, adopting mama blogger

OK, I stole this from another blog, but it sounded like such a good idea – Thanks, Alicia!

yoga0019116.gifI am loving being back into Yoga. I have never liked exercise much, but always got into it once I actually STARTED. I fell in love with yoga a few years ago, but I stopped during bed rest and never got back into it. Now I am going to Arkansas Yoga Center, and I am LOVING it! I am actually trying to find times to fit it into my schedule, looking forward to it, missing it when I can’t go, and doing some practice at home. My goal and deepest wish is to make this a permanent part of my life. It’s a wonderful exercise, but it is so essential to me in other ways too – it helps me de-stress and actually feel like my body is good and strong and powerful rather than just fat and infertile!

Bring on the New Year! Goodbye 2008 and Hello 2009! 2008 was a tough year for us – lots of serious problems with both sets of our parents, getting the adoption up to speed and having two adoptions fall apart, Michael leaving a secure job under bad circumstances and trying to move into Real Estate, learning how to deal with difficult family situations and to grow as a couple, lots of illness, etc. 2009 has so much promise – the year of OBAMA, the year of our NEW BABY, the year of healing and growth in our extended family, the year that Michael makes his first TWO big real estate sales! Welcome 2009 – we have been waiting for you!

I am excited about the free tickets (thanks, Mom) to see the Wizard of Oz and a night out ALONE with Michael – it’s been a while since we had a date! We have a great babysitter, and I can’t wait to let HER deal with Isaac falling asleep tonight.

Isaac, Isaac, Isaac. He is just so great (even though he refused to be potty trained, and he is a terrible sleeper 🙂! We just have these perfect moments together – just the two of us, or all of us as a family. He is very concerned about people’s feelings right now, asking, “Mama, are you happy,” “Mama, are you sad/mad/,” “Mama, is Olive (the dog) happy?”, etc. He is a talking fiend – this is the same kid that we had in speech therapy a couple of years ago because he would not talk. Now, he won’t be quiet! He talks to himself while he plays, talks to me constantly, and we can have actual REAL conversations now – it’s so fun!

I am truly blessed with a wonderful husband. 2008 was a tough year for both of us, but especially challenging for Michael. He began a new career in Real Estate, just at the time that the market started to plunge. He’s worked two jobs for over a year now, and I just could not be more proud! He is such a fantastic, funny, outgoing, charming, and caring guy. Everyone who meets him, just adores him. He’s about to close on his first big sale, and has at least one more in the works! He is one of the very best fathers in the world, and I know LOTS of great ones! He is a fabulous partner – allowing me to be myself, but reminding me to lighten up, laugh at myself, find fun in everything, and enjoy life. I am so glad to have him as my husband, best friend, and partner for life!

We said goodbye to 2008 last week, but I feel like I am making it official with this writing. 2009 is going to be a great year — I will enjoy the little things, make time for myself, get ready for our new baby and continue to enjoy our little family while we wait. What are you smiling at today?

To read more from Erin, click HERE for past Waiting for Shlomo blog posts